Neurofibromatosis Type 2

Treatment

Mayo Clinic doctors trained in nervous system conditions (neurologists), doctors trained in hereditary conditions (geneticists), doctors trained in skin conditions (dermatologists), imaging specialists (radiologists), doctors trained in nerve surgery (neurosurgeons), doctors trained in head and neck conditions (otorhinolaryngologists) and doctors in several other areas work together to determine the most appropriate treatment for your condition. Neurofibromatosis type 2 can't be cured, but doctors will work with you to manage symptoms and complications of neurofibromatosis type 2.

Your treatment team may offer several options to help manage your condition.

• Monitoring. Your doctor will monitor your condition regularly for any changes in your hearing, your vision or other areas of your body and treat any tumors or complications. Tumors often grow slowly and may require only close monitoring.

• Hearing rehabilitation and treatment. If your hearing is affected by tumors or your hearing can't be restored, you may need hearing aids, cochlear implants, auditory brain stem implant or other devices. An auditory brain stem implant transmits sound signals to your brain and may help you to hear many sounds.

• Surgery. Depending on the location and size of your tumors and how they affect your hearing and other body functions, your surgeon may recommend surgery to remove the tumors. Surgery can cause hearing complications and nerve damage. Your surgeon will discuss with you whether surgery is the most appropriate treatment option and which type of procedure is most appropriate. Sometimes your surgeon may use precisely focused radiation to treat tumors (stereotactic radiosurgery).